Course Description:
This course will provide first responders with the knowledge and skills to: Understand what hazardous substances are and the risks associated with them in an incident; Recognize the presence of hazardous substances in an emergency; Understand the role of the emergency responder at the Awareness level, including site security and control; Utilize the U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Guidebook; Realize the need for additional resources; Make appropriate notifications to the community. The 2002 edition includes counter-terrorism curriculum. This course meets NFPA 472 Standard, 1997 edition, OSHA CFR 29.1910.120 (q); it also meets the objectives outlined in the Emergency Response to Terrorism self-study guide and is certifiable by the NFA.

Course registration may be done by paper form or electronically. Your Chief will need a PIN number from IFSI if you use electronic registration.

Course Mechanics:
Students will be notified about one week prior to the start of the course by their class instructor. Direction will be supplied via email providing login further class information.

This is primarily a self-directed course. An instructor is available by email to handle course and learning content questions. Each course lasts approximately 30 days (depending on the length of the month). Student must complete all coursework within that time frame to pass the course.

Studies include:

• Review of course objectives.
• Course required reading (available for on and off-line study).
• Complete online class activities.
• View online presentations.
• Online quizzes.
• Final course examination. (state test for those wishing an Illinois OSFM certification).

Final Exam for Illinois State Certification
The final exam for OSFM State Certification is administered at your local library. Upon successful completion of all your course classroom work your instructor will provide you a test request form and instructions on taking your final exam.

Final Exam for Non-Certification / IFSI Certificate
An end of course final exam is required for those students who do not wish to receive an Illinois State Certification or who are taking this course and reside outside of Illinois. IFSI will issue a certificate of completion upon you successfully passing the end of course examination. This exam will be administered online through Student and Staff Resource Center.

Certification Registration

Applicable Certification Level: Hazardous Materials Awareness (OSFM, IEMA and NFA) CEU 2 hours

To obtain access to the IFSI Hazardous Materials Awareness Online Certification Program you must register for the course.

Registration Deadline: Your registration must be received prior to the class start date to be eligible for that session. If your registration is not received prior to the class start date, you will automatically be registered in the next class. Click here to search for class dates.

Online Registration: Please click here to find an upcoming course for online registration. Note that a department PIN is required for online registration.

Register via Fax: fax a completed IFSI registration form to 217-244-6790, Attn: Jodi Beccue. Please click here to download the IFSI registration form. It requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to download. Visit Adobe for a free download.

Register via Mail: send a completed IFSI registration form to the Illinois Fire Service Institute, 11 Gerty Drive, Champaign, IL. 61820, Attn: Jodi Beccue. Please click here to download the IFSI registration form. It requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to download. Visit Adobe for a free download.

Prior to the class, you will receive an email from IFSI confirming your registration. This email will also provide you with further information regarding the class, including instructor contact information and a course syllabus.

As part of the course, you will take the OSFM-approved Hazardous Materials Awareness Exam (administered by the IFSI Instructor who delivers the course or their designee).